A few days ago, the tennis world was hit by a storm when Rafael Nadal claimed that he wouldn’t consider Roger Federer as a friend. Has the Spaniard’s friendship with the Swiss Maestro taken a toll? While we still wait for the answer, let’s look back at their first meeting 20 years ago. Did you know that Rafael Nadal was once spotted in Roger Federer’s box supporting the Swiss during his QF match at the Indian Wells Masters in 2004?

The 17-year-old Spanish rising star sat alongside Federer’s team and a couple of seats away from Mirka Federer. The Indian Wells Masters will begin in a week. For now, let’s have a look at the heartwarming story involving the two legends of the game.

The moment when 17YO Rafael Nadal impressed Roger Federer

It all started when Rafael Nadal and Tommy Robredo defeated Roger Federer and Yves Allegro by three sets in a doubles match at the 2004 Indian Wells. In the singles edition, Nadal was eliminated in the third round itself, whereas the 22-year-old Federer eased past the Round of 16 to face Juan Ignacio Chela in the next match.

After the doubles match, both Nadal and Federer exchanged a few words and went into the locker room. Federer later on recalled that it was in the locker room perhaps when he might have given the Mallorcan teenager an invitation to watch his QF match from his own box. Consequently, the Spaniard had accepted it happily.

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In the QF, Federer comfortably defeated the Argentinian by 6-2,6-1 in just 1 hour 3 minutes. However, according to several experts, that simple invitation later on led to the rise of the biggest rivalry in the tennis world. Perhaps the front-seat view of Roger Federer’s game allowed the eagle-eyed Nadal to analyze Federer’s strengths and weaknesses.

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Interestingly, a few days later, Nadal stunned the newly promoted world number 1, Roger Federer in straight sets in Miami.  It marked the beginning of the legacy, which lasted for over two decades and ended up with 42 Grand Slam triumphs altogether.

‘It is a very special tournament for me’- Nadal on Indian Wells

Indian Wells Masters is as special to Rafael Nadal as it’s for Roger Federer. Both of them met each other four times in this tournament. Roger Federer has won the mega clash three times (2012,2017,2019) while Nadal only managed to win once in 2013. However, in 2019, Federer got a walkover from Nadal as he had to pull out of the tournament due to a right knee injury.

Indian Wells Masters has been a happy hunting ground for the Swiss. He has managed to clinch the trophy 5 times in the desert, whereas Nadal could win only thrice in his career. Nadal won his first Indian Wells Masters title in 2007 and his last came in 2013. Can he win his fourth this time around?

Well, he has already started his preparation for the mega event in California. But is he fully fit? “I trust 100% to be in Indian Wells, it is a very special tournament for me. I don’t know if it will be the last time I am going to play it. But there are options that yes so I would like to be in Indian Wells yes or yes,” said Rafael Nadal.

How deep can Rafael Nadal go this time around in the Indian Wells Masters? Share your thoughts in the comment box.

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